Golf increases the risk of developing sclerosis by 300%

Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School have identified several new unexpected factors that increase the chances of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There is still no cure for the disease, so prevention is key. Scientists are most interested in non-obvious factors – for example, working in commerce and manufacturing provokes the development of ALS.

The latest study involved 400 people with ALS and 287 without. They were asked to describe in detail their hobbies, leisure activities and anything not related to work. The data was then compared to the statistics of ALS diseases and quite a few were surprised. For example, a passion for golf increases the risk of the disease by 300%.

It turned out that many men’s active leisure activities are potentially dangerous. In the risk group are those who work with plants, are engaged in processing wood and metal. In danger are shooting enthusiasts and hunters, but only if they are men. For women with similar hobbies, the risks of getting ALS are almost zero. However, the study involved not so many women to insist on this statement.

In search of reasons for the development of ALS, scientists have suggested that the fault is ecology, the state of the environment. For example, frequent contact with plants increases the likelihood of ingesting pesticides. Working with wood and metal leads to contact with toxic substances – formaldehyde, heavy metals, paint components. Physical activity such as playing golf or swimming saturates the lungs with hazardous particles if the air pollution in the region exceeds the norm.

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